12.7.2022

Warnock Wins Georgia

Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock is projected to have won reelection for Georgia's US Senate seat in a tight race against Republican Herschel Walker, a former football player. Warnock defeated Walker, 51% to 49%, with 99% of the vote counted, as of this writing. Warnock's victory helps Democrats secure a 51-seat majority in the 100-seat Senate. See results by county here.

More than 3.5 million people cast ballots for yesterday's runoff, with about 1.8 million people voting early and breaking records in what has become the most expensive race of the 2022 midterm election season. At least $400M was spent in total by the candidates.

Separately, Rep. Andy Biggs (R, AZ-5) announced he is running against House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R, CA-23) for Speaker of the House. McCarthy, who won support from Republicans in a closed-door meeting after the midterms, will need 218 votes by Jan. 3 to become speaker. Republicans are poised to have 222 seats, but Reps. Matt Gaetz (FL-1), Bob Good (VA-5), Ralph Norman (SC-5), and Matt Rosendale (MT-At large) have indicated they would vote for an alternative candidate.

(Another) Theranos Sentencing

Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani, former president and chief operating officer of failed blood-testing startup Theranos, faces sentencing today after being found guilty of fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in July.

The sentencing comes less than three weeks after his ex-girlfriend and Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes was sentenced to over 11 years in prison. Theranos, once valued at $10B before collapsing, had failed to design the technology it promised investors that would generate over 100 accurate blood tests via a single finger prick. Balwani had invested about $15M of his wealth into the company.

Balwani’s lawyers seek a sentence of probation or home confinement. Prosecutors suggest 15 years and $804M in restitution, and the probation officer report recommends nine years. Balwani could face more time than Holmes if the judge determines his actions put patients at risk of death or severe injury; Balwani had direct oversight of Theranos’ lab and allegedly often rebuffed concerns by staff.

Catch up on the case here.

Spain Goes Down

In another World Cup upset, Morocco defeated Spain 3-0 in penalty kicks yesterday after neither team scored through extra time. The win boots Spain and makes Morocco the first Arab nation ever to enter the quarterfinals. With Portugal's 6-1 rout of Switzerland later in the day, the quarterfinal matchups are set. Watch a five-minute recap here. 

Coming into yesterday's match, Spain's offense had scored a tournament-high nine goals through three group stage games, while Morocco's defense had allowed only one goal. Although Spain possessed the ball almost 75% of the game and made four times as many passes as Morocco, it only had one shot on goal (see game stats). Morocco's Achraf Hakimi clinched the win with a soft penalty kick chip shot to the center of the goal, known as a panenka after the player who invented it. The irregular move anticipates the goalkeeper's dive to one side by sending it softly through the middle. Watch famous examples of the kick here.

The World Cup in Qatar has seen several major upsets, including group stage losses from Argentina and Brazil—now both quarterfinalists—to Saudi Arabia and Cameroon, respectively.

Science & Technology

Business & Markets

Politics & World Affairs

This year's 100 greatest innovations.

... and the best albums of 2022.

The US states most vulnerable to identity theft and fraud.

... and the cheapest US cities for a parking spot.

An interactive comic about an artist's relationship to technology.

Last known Tasmanian tiger pelt found in museum cupboard.

How to deal with holiday stress, Danish-style.

"Goonies" house sells to fan who wants to protect it. 

Clickbait: A guest orchestra conductor gone wild. (w/video) 

Historybook: Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award winner Ellen Burstyn born (1932); Pearl Harbor naval base bombed by Japan, killing 2,403 US personnel (1941); Basketball legend Larry Bird born (1956); Apollo 17, the final Apollo moon mission, is launched (1972); Sound barrier-breaking pilot Chuck Yeager dies (2020).